Vigil held for Oakland Castlemont High math teacher killed following CHP pursuit

OAKLAND, Calif. - Castlemont High School held its graduation on Friday, less than two days after a math teacher was killed as an innocent bystander caught up in a California Highway Patrol pursuit of an 18-year-old suspect in Oakland.

Beloved teacher

The mood of Castlemont High was somber after the principal identified the teacher as Marvin Boomer, a "beloved and vital member of the Castlemont family." 

"His warmth, wisdom, and joyful spirit left a lasting impact on countless students and colleagues," Principal Joseph Blasher said in his letter.

"He was very dedicated to his students, very caring," said graduating senior Erinea Newsome. "He was engaged with all the school activities."

Another graduate, Mahryell Brand said Boomer was a "very impactful man who was very open to helping students around school."

Boomer's LinkedIn page shows he held a PhD and was a graduate research assistant at North Carolina State University before coming to OUSD in 2017. 

"Today, the seniors he worked so closely with will walk the stage and receive their diplomas," OUSD spokesman John Sasaki said in a statement. "And the district will celebrate our students’ accomplishments with love and excitement just as Dr. Boomer always did." 

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee issued a statement about Boomer's death on social media on Friday. She said prayers are with the teacher's family after he was "senselessly killed" in the crash.

"We wish the second person who was badly hurt a speedy and full recovery," Lee's statement read, referring to Boomer's girlfriend who was also injured in the crash. Without mentioning names, Lee's statement said her office was working to connect with Boomer's family. She said the couple both worked with Oakland community group – Black Cultural Zone. 

Teacher killed

Boomer was killed, and at least two others, including his girlfriend, were injured, on Wednesday around 7:45 p.m. at East 21st Street and Park Boulevard during a CHP pursuit of 18-year-old Eric Scott Hernandez-Garcia's Infiniti G35, which police said had been stolen.

A neighbor's Ring doorbell showed the horrifying moments of the crash, when Boomer and his girlfriend were walking on the sidewalk, and then got struck by a fire hydrant in a chain reaction with Garcia's Infiniti that crashed into it. 

Boomer's girlfriend is seen walking upstairs to a home and asking the people inside to call 911, the video shows.

Before Boomer was killed, Oakland police said Garcia crashed into a minivan, with two passengers inside – a woman who was injured and her passenger, who declined medical treatment.

Oakland police said the CHP called off the pursuit at this point, even though police were monitoring the pursuit above in a plane.

Oakland police spokesman Paul Chambers said Garcia's car continued to drive recklessly and crashed at East 21st Street and 12th Avenue without any officers behind him.

Garcia ran away, police said, but CHP officers were able to arrest him.

On Friday, the teen made his first court appearance on seven felony charges, including vehicular manslaughter, but his case was continued to Monday. 

Police chase controversy

The issue of police chases is a controversial one.

Many in law enforcement say that they need the tools to pursue criminals and if they don't chase suspects, then crime will continue to get out of hand.

Others point to tragic deaths and injuries – especially of innocent bystanders – like what happened in this case.

"Was it worth it to catch that car thief? I don't think so. I think that's just horrible," said Michael Eastwood, who lives at the corner where the man died.

Charles Golden, a friend of Boomer, does not welcome CHP patrolling city streets. 

"They're not doing this in Atherton. They're not doing this in Menlo Park. They're not doing this in Walnut Creek. They're not doing this in Alamo," Golden said. "It's called California Highway Patrol, not California harass Oakland patrol." 

The California Highway Patrol has looser rules on chasing suspects than Oakland police do.

Recently, the Oakland police chief asked the police commission to loosen one particular aspect of city chase rules, where an officer would no longer have to request permission from a supervisor to drive faster than 50 mph.

Earlier this month, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Oakland police can be held responsible when bystanders are injured, or killed, during reckless pursuits.

Oakland City Councilmember Charlene Wang said the city is still working to refine its pursuit policy.

"We have to be thoughtful, and that's probably why we did have a police chase policy in part, because there have been innocent bystanders that have been killed," Wang said.

Scenes from the vigil

An emotional vigil was held at the scene of the crash Friday night to remember Marvin Boomer. Hundreds of people gathered at the intersection of East 21st Street and 12th Avenue to remember the popular math teacher. 

One by one, current and former students, fellow teachers and loved ones left candles and balloons, before sharing story after story about how Boomer changed lives. 

"Boomer didn't have no kids, but he put all of that energy that you would have as a parent into these kids," said George Arterberry, a colleague and friend.

"I got in graduate school, y'all, because of Dr. Boomer believing in me," said Brenda Franklin, a colleague and friend. 

Former students say he inspired them to go into teaching. 

"His influence really impacted me with wanting to work with students. So that's what I'm doing now," said Alexandria Avalos. 

"I'm a teacher now, and I can only hope that I can be as good as an educator as he was," said another former student. 

OaklandCalifornia Highway PatrolOakland Police DepartmentBarbara LeeNews